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About Parkland, WA

About Parkland, WA

The many benefits of living in Parkland

Parkland, an unincorporated community near Tacoma, may be small but it provides a well-balanced lifestyle for its residents, thanks to its green spaces, modest homes and a strong commercial district laden with international restaurants. Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is right in the the center, so the city is always bustling with activity. With it's interstate access, Parkland serves as a convenient spot for commuters traveling to and from Tacoma for jobs in the technology and aerospace industries. Finally, its location allows residents easy access to major cities Tacoma and Seattle, as well as other parts of Pierce County.

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Parkland has a rural feel with easy access to many big city amenities.
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Downtown Tacoma is only 6-10 minutes from Parkland.
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Multiple school districts and Pacific Lutheran University

Several school districts serve Parkland, including Franklin Pierce School District, rated B-plus by Niche, Bethel School District, rated C-plus and Clover Park School District, rated B. Pacific Lutheran University, an acclaimed 4-year univeristy sits in the middle of the city. It is a private collge that offers over 40 majors and minors, and has a diverse student population of 2,600 students.

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Attend classes at PLU in Parkland to further your education or career.
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Some teens in Parkland attend Clover Park High School.
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Shopping and dining galore along Pacific Avenue

Being a college town, Parkland has plenty of dining and shopping options to fulfill many needs, and Pacific Avenue is the commercial hub of Parkland. The delightfully retro Lucky's Drive-In calls out orders over local radio station 89.1 FM, and customers can enjoy burgers and handcrafted milkshakes inside a converted vintage bus. Parkland also has restaurants for everything from sushi and ramen to pizza and Italian fare. Further along Pacific Avenue and down on Garfield Street, there are grocery stores and shops.

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Luck's Drive In Has A Charming Retro Vibe And Great Food In Parkland.
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Frugals is a local favorite for fast food in the Parkland.
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Events and festivals in Parkland and around Pierce County

In addition to checking out materials, patrons at the Parkland/ Spanaway Library can attend events like painting workshops, craft circles and game nights. Marymount Event Center doubles as both a multi-purpose event space and home to the largest vintage auto collection in the world. Annual events and festivals include the county-wide Daffodil Festival in April and September's Moon Festival in Tacoma

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Get some work done or grab a new book form the Parkland Library.
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Attend an event or visit the Lemay Family Collection at Marymount Event Center in Parkland.
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Green spaces and outdoor recreation in Parkland

Mayfield Playfield is a family-friendly neighborhood park with a large playground and athletic fields. Bresemann Forest features over 70 acres of old-growth evergreen trees and trails that meander alongside the Spanaway Creek. The creek leads to Spanaway Lake, the go-to place for fishing and boating. The forest is also adjacent to Sprinker Recreation Center, which has an ice rink, tennis courts and a skate park. Debbie Dolittle’s Petting Zoo offers fun for all ages with a rotating collection of mammals, reptiles and even exotic animals.

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Take your kids to make new community at Sprinker Recreation Center in Parkland.
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Walk your dog around Mayfair Playfield for some fresh air in Parkland.
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Investment properties and new constructions among Parkland's homes

According to Erika Dahring, a real estate agent at EXP Realty and 27-year Washington local, “Parkland is great for those looking to get into investment properties. There's a lot of students looking for rentals in the area around the university, so buying near there is profitable.” However, a mix of established single-family homes and gated communities are also scattered throughout Parkland, so homebuyers have lots of options. Different areas of Parkland have distinct personalities. For example, the Cloverfield neighborhood is largely rural while the Summit View neighborhood skews more suburban. Mid-century ramblers are the most common type of home, offering large lots and private backyards. Newer luxury builds are typically built in the Pacific Northwest contemporary style, with stone finishes, wood siding and Craftsman elements done in neutral tones. The median price for a home is $429,000 and it takes about 25 days for a property to sell, compared to the national average of 44 days.

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Many parts of Parkland feature charming ramblers on quiet residential lanes.
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Clover Creek's real estate options mainly consist of single-family homes in various styles.
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Reaching Tacoma, Seattle and other major cities

Parkland is centrally located between Tacoma and Seattle to the north, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Force Base to the west and Olympia to the southwest. It is also located off Washington State Route 512, which connects to Interstate 5. Parkland is also served by Pierce Transit, and bus stops can be found along Pacific Avenue and other streets. “It’s walkable, too,” says Dahring. “Since it’s basically like a small college town, everything’s pretty close together and accessible.” Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the closest airport, roughly 27 miles north of Parkland.

Decreasing crime trends and air quality risk in Parkland

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office serves Parkland, and recent crime trends have revealed a decline in activity. According to FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, there was a 26% decrease in violent crime and a 25% decrease in property crime in 2023. Parkland also poses some environmental concerns, according to First Street, with a moderate risk for wildfires and intense heat and a severe risk for poor air quality.

Julia Concepcion
Written By
Julia Concepcion
Photography Contributed By
Noah Lubin
Luke Basinger
Video By
Luke Basinger

Neighborhood Map

Parkland by the Numbers

42,196
Population
$501K
Average Housing Value
42
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Parkland, WA

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

James Sales Elementary School
#1 James Sales Elementary School
B-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Carter Lake Elementary School
#2 Carter Lake Elementary School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Naches Trail Elementary School
#3 Naches Trail Elementary School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Chester H. Thompson Elementary School
#4 Chester H. Thompson Elementary School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Collins Elementary School
#5 Collins Elementary School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Fern Hill Elementary School
#6 Fern Hill Elementary School
C
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Spanaway Elementary School
#7 Spanaway Elementary School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Helen B. Stafford Elementary School
#8 Helen B. Stafford Elementary School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Brookdale Elementary School
#9 Brookdale Elementary School
B-
Niche
3
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

Spanaway Middle School
#1 Spanaway Middle School
B-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Gates Secondary School
#2 Gates Secondary School
B
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Baker Middle School
#3 Baker Middle School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Morris Ford Middle School
#4 Morris Ford Middle School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Thomas Middle School
#5 Thomas Middle School
B-
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Hudtloff Middle School
#6 Hudtloff Middle School
C+
Niche
2
GreatSchools
Perry G. Keithley Middle School
#7 Perry G. Keithley Middle School
C
Niche
2
GreatSchools

Best Public High Schools

Franklin Pierce High School
#1 Franklin Pierce High School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Washington High School
#2 Washington High School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Gates Secondary School
#3 Gates Secondary School
B
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Spanaway Lake High School
#4 Spanaway Lake High School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Mount Tahoma High School
#5 Mount Tahoma High School
B-
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Clover Park High School
#6 Clover Park High School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools

Best Private Schools

Imagination School
#1 Imagination School
Parkland Lutheran School
#2 Parkland Lutheran School
St. Mary's Academy
#3 St. Mary's Academy

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Heather Rickman
(253) 780-7626
Her approach is very simple! She answers her phone, she does exactly what she tells you she will do and she treats every transaction as if it were her own!

As an agent who's an expert in this local area, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate here. It's not the same everywhere, so you need someone you can trust for up-to-date information. She is eager to serve you. Here are some of the things she can do for you:
Find Your Next Home
You need someone who knows this area inside and out! Heather can work with you to find the right home at the right price for you, including all the neighborhood amenities that matter - not to mention the essential criteria you have for your ideal home.

Sell a Home
When it's time to move, you need someone who will advertise your home, show to prospective buyers, negotiate the purchase contract, arrange financing, oversee the inspections, handle all necessary paperwork and supervise the closing. Heather can take care of everything you need, from start to close.

Consult on Home Selling Tactics
Oftentimes buyers don't visualize living in your home the way you do. She can make your home attractive to its ideal audience - which can help you get top dollar. Things like staging the home, making repairs or minor improvements, or even simply painting the walls can be the difference between a home resting on the market and one that's sold fast.
See Full Agent Profile
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.